Dog DNA Test – What every dog owners need to know
Most mixed-breed dog owners are not
still aware of dog DNA breed identification tests despite the fact that it has
been available for years. Dog DNA testing was once thought to be extremely
expensive with high-tech apparatus only available to advanced laboratories. But
now, the technology is still high. The tools and processes are also
sophisticated, but the cost has dropped to the point that the average dog owner
can afford it.
If you have a mixed puppy and are
still wondering what breed your dog is made of, read on. Knowing the breed of
your dog will allow you to know his health and behavior patterns. With this
knowledge, you will be able to keep your dog happy and healthy. The fastest way
to know your dog breeds is to find the most reliable dog DNA tests. So in this
article, we will take a look at all you need to know about the dog DNA tests.
What
is a dog DNA TEST?
DNA is made up of a series of substances called nucleotides. It contains the unique blueprint for each individual organism, from the smallest bacteria to humans. Genes are segments of DNA and this code for particular proteins that play a significant role in the formation, maintenance, and reproduction of cells. Dogs have approximately 20,000-25,000 genes located along 78 chromosomes.
What will your dog DNA test tell you?
Have you ever questioned the breed of your mixed-breed dog? You are not alone. Most dog owners would love to know these details about their furry pals, this wasn't possible before. But now, with a home DNA test, you can know the genetic makeup of your furry pal. If your dog has not been DNA tested yet, there are many reasons why you shouldn't wait any longer.
A lot of us are inquiring about our family trees, ethnic backgrounds, or medical vulnerability, but what about our furry pals? With so many mysterious dogs from rescues, it's no surprise that dog DNA testing has become so popular. From Embark to Wisdom Panel to Royal Canin, dog DNA kits are now a must-have gift idea for dog owners. Breed reveals and guessing games are becoming popular on social media. But, these genetic test kits can provide you with more information than just your dog's breed results. So, the following are the five things a dog DNA test can tell you about your dog:
Breed & Traits Information
Dog owners are usually excited about knowing the breeds that their newly adopted dogs are made of. The DNA test results consist of the dog breed mix by a percentage based on a library of 250-350 different dog breeds. For each breed your puppy acquires, you can get extra information about the breed's appearance, temperament, fun facts, history, and other breed-related information.
You can as well find out about your dog's family tree and ancestors. It can even be used for purebred dogs, to check how far back a purebred dog's genealogy goes.
Health & Genetic Risks
If you are concerned about your dog’s genetic health risks, you may need to choose a kit that includes a health check. These health kits can detect more than 150 genetic diseases that your puppy may be "at-risk" for or "carrier" of depending on his breed mix. It can detect diseases like von Willebrand's disease, glaucoma, and breed-specific disorders such as muscular dystrophy found in Golden Retrievers.
Also, you can check if your dog has the MDR1 gene, or multi-drug resistance gene, which can cause serious adverse reactions to some common medications. You can be a more proactive owner if your dog tests positive for any of these infections or mutations.
Discover Your Dog’s Relatives
Would you like to know your pup’s long-lost sibling? The good news is that with the Doggy DNA Relative Finder, you can connect with other pooch’s that are related to your dog based on the proportion of DNA they share. And because updates are constant, you will still be notified if a relative joins years after your dog's test. This fantastic feature has even resulted in some amazing reunions.
How Dog DNA Test Works
If you are questioning, how this DNA testing kit can detect your dog's breed? It is very simple, in the sampling process, cheek cells are obtained by cheek swabbing before being sent to the lab for breed analysis. The swabbing procedure is non-invasive and painless. It can be done by the owner without the presence of a veterinarian.
For example, if you choose Canine Heritage Breed XL Kit for testing your mixed breed dog DNA. Simply read the instructions included with the Canine Heritage(TM) kit, place the swab in the packaging tube, reverse the tube liner so that the pre-paid mailing label can be seen through the tube, and drop it in a mailbox for DNA breed analysis.
The samples of cheek cells will be analyzed using an innovative SNP-based DNA Technology Process that can identify over 100 major breeds (as compared with the US dog breed population). The results will be displayed in the form of a frame quality Certificate of DNA Breed Analysis, together with your dog's picture, which will be featured on the certificate without any additional cost.
Don’t forget that Canine Heritage Breed XL Kit is not designed to be used as a purebred or paternity verification test, and it is not a legal tool. It was created and tested on dog breed populations in the United States. As a result, breeds that are not native to the United States or Canada may not be represented or identified by this breed identification tool.
How accurate are dog DNA tests?
When it comes to accuracy, Experts note that these tests are very accurate, but not foolproof. They say the actual technology used to perform the tests is very accurate. However, it is important to realize that there are other places where errors can occur.
Most DNA testing facilities perform
these tests with extreme caution; one of the greatest hazards to the test's
accuracy is simple human mistakes. Samples may be mixed up while sampling, or
if the sampler is not diligent, a sample from one dog may be contaminated with
cells from another.
Best Dog DNA Tests of 2021
There are a variety of dog DNA breed tests available, each with its own set of features. The main differences are the number of breeds analyzed, the charge for the tests, and the times it takes for the results to be ready. In the following paragraphs, we will take a look at these differences to help you decide which test is best for you. We have thoroughly researched and recommended the best.
If you want to get as much information as possible about your dog, there is no doubt that the Embark Breed & Health Kit is the best choice. This kit was manufactured in collaboration with the Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine. With this kit, you will obtain information about your dog breed classification and information about its ancestors going back to the great-grandparents.
There is also a social component to this kit, you can connect it with other Embark-tested dogs that share DNA with your dog. Lastly, in addition to testing for breeds, there are also genetic health tests that are performed on the DNA. You can view all the results in a well-designed dashboard on the Embark website or download a report. This is useful, especially if there is information you want to share with your vet.
DNA My Dog Breed Identification TestKit
You will receive information about your dog's breed composition, including details of its dominant breeds and the related personality traits and health.
Wisdom Health Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine DNA Test
Most results are provided approximately two or three weeks after the laboratory receives your sample. You will receive information about your dog’s ancestry, health, traits, and each section will provide detail on how your dog's unique genetics may affect his daily life.
Also, Wisdom Panel will help you fully understand the results with the option of an online or telephone consultation. Wisdom Panel claims to have the largest breed database with over 350 profiles, including wolves and coyotes.
Orivet Mixed-Breed Identification & Life Plan Dog DNA Test Kit
Knowing your dog's breed can be helpful and wonderful. It’s not just a question of curiosity; knowing your dog's history can also help you be more mindful of health problems associated with certain breeds. Also, knowing your dog’s DNA makeup is interesting trivia to share with your pals. The information about your dog's genetic makeup and any potential medical risks can help you keep your dog healthy.
With Orivet Mixed Breed Life Plan and Identification Dog DNA Test Kit, your dog will get a personalized life plan that gives you detailed information about inheritable health risks and what you can do about them. This information can be useful to share with your veterinarian.
Depending on your dog's age, the life plan outlines recommended routine care as well as suggested tests based on your pet’s health indicators. However, you should always consult your veterinarian before making health changes related to your dog’s care.
Orivet's database includes 350 dog breeds and will provide results that go back three generations. Results usually take 10-14 days after receiving the sample. The company also offers customer support through email if you have problems understanding the results.
What to Look for in the Best Dog DNA Test
Depth: The motives for the test will decide the type of test you want to choose. If you are only interested in your dog's lineage, there are basic tests, while others offer a more detailed analysis of how your dog's DNA contributes to his personality. Others can tell you if your dog is more or less prone to various health conditions.
Speed of results: This has to do with how long you can wait for your dog’s DNA results. If speed is crucial to you, there are tests that can provide results quickly (within a few weeks), while other testing companies take months. Your purpose for the test and your level of patience will determine the type of test you should choose.
Accuracy: Of course, accuracy is the most important quality you want in a dog DNA test, especially if you are looking for information about your dog's health. Some tests guarantee accuracy rates close to 100 percent.
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you learn what a dog DNA test can do for you and
your furry pal. You can go to Amazon and read some of the reviews to make sure
you are ordering the right kit.
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